"The Girl in the Book" proves to be anything but a page-turner.

From time to time, Cohn allows a few rays of light to penetrate the gloom and suggest that Alice may find a way transcend her despair. It's a small measure of relief from the overall mood of hopelessness.

The director, Ms. Cohn, making her feature debut, wrote the script and handily keeps the story's many elements in motion.

The Girl in the Book works best as an illustration of the long-term emotional and psychological effects of rape and abuse.